The SsangYong XLV Concept Shows a New Look for the Korean Brand

10 years, 8 months ago - 9 March 2014, Autoblog

Korean automaker SsangYong used to have a reputation of building some of the least attractive cars in the world, but if its new XLV concept at the Geneva Motor Show is any indication, it may be putting that reputation behind it. That isn't saying that the crossover is a beauty, but it certainly shows progress.

SsangYong says that XLV stands for "eXciting smart Lifestyle Vehicle," and the styling is covered in vast expanses of relatively flat, monolithic panels. The front features a tall grille with LED headlights. The blacked-out roof appears almost invisible because it sits on a super-skinny black A-pillar and no B-pillar. All the visual support comes from the thick rear pillar. The suicide doors open wide and make it easy to peer inside, but it probably wouldn't work on a production model. The roof is mostly made from a piece of glass that can be switched from transparent to opaque electronically. Inside, the XLV seats seven in three rows, but the rear center seat can slide forward and back between the second and third rows depending on what is needed.

The concept is propelled by a 1.6-liter diesel engine with a 13-horsepower (10-kW) electric motor and 500-Watt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. The company did not say how much power the full system produces but claims the hybrid system reduces emissions by 10 percent.